Love Is A Battlefield: Florists Prepare For Valentine’s Onslaught

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If you haven’t scored Valentine’s Day gifts and goodies for your honey yet, the clock is ticking.

Florists have been working around the clock for more than a week to prepare for the holiday, which falls on Sunday.
 
If it’s true that all’s fair in love and war –

“Yeah, valentine’s can be pretty hectic,” says Shotwell Florist owner J.D. Shotwell.

Welcome to the grand battlefield: Valentine’s Day at Shotwell Floral.

J.D. adds, “In all reality, we start planning right after Christmas”

Florist Cinthia Schmeets says, “Valentine’s Day is craziest ’cause it’s a one-day shot.”

Preps for the week-long siege? 5000 roses, countless lilies and filler:
 
“We kind of guess the best we can,” Shotwell explains, “have as much on hand as possible”

And some of the supplies come armed with weaponry themselves.

Schmeets says, “Yeah, slice, dice, it still happens.”

Pro tip: call in orders early if you can:

They’re already starting to run out of floral ammo.

“Of course with the planning, prep work, we try,” Shotwell concedes.

Schmeets admits, “There’s no way to to get what everybody wants.”

Prepare, because of all the people who call at the last minute.

Consider going non-traditional.

Rose prices can double during Valentine’s.
 
Looking for long lasting?

Think outside the floral box, like these carnations and alstroemeria.

They both have long vase lives.

The florists favorite: give them a set price you can spend, and trust their instincts.

“See the price we pay for other people’s love,” Schmeets adds while chuckling.

Because in the battle of love, these wounded warriors fight on the front lines.
 
Already got your flowers? Don’t forget those tips.

Mother’s day is right around the corner.